Rheumatoid arthritis: A synovial disease?

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Abstract
Extensive scientific data on the immune nature of RA have been accumulated.1 According to this, RA is considered to be an autoimmune disease that is presently incurable. Although its aetiology remains unknown, most investigators believe that RA is primarily an inflammatory disease of synovial membrane of the joints. However, here we show evidence that RA primarily involves articular cartilage and subchondral bone, not the synovium; this new direction of research may allow for the development of a specific treatment for the disease.